Pattern wheel filling mechanism



June 30, 1964 c. F. PEARL PATTERN WHEEL FILLING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 14, 1965 INVENTOR. CURTIS F. PEARL ATTORNEY June 30, 1964 PEARL PATTERN WHEEL FILLING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 14, 1965 INVENTOR. CURTIS F PEARL WITNESS ATTORNEY June 30, 1964 c. F. PEARL 3,138,853

PATTERN WHEEL FILLING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 14, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig. 5.

INVENTOR. CURTIS E PEARL BY WITNESS g I] E Z i CM 0Q L ATTORNEY June 30, 1964 c. F. PEARL 3,133,353

PATTERN WHEEL FILLING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 14, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I45 ll mm 30 w '2 INVENTOR. '42 9| CURTIS F PEARL BY [imam ATTORNEY 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 JACK R-IOB BRAK SOL.

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ATTORNEY 243 BANK C. F. PEARL PATTERN WHEEL FILLING MECHANISM RELEASE SOL. U ER|75 B souseuaczm RELEA$@ 244 LOW JACK June 30, 1964 Filed Jan. 14, 1963 m we RGA

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JACK INSERTING UNIT WITNESS United States Patent 3,138,853 PATTERN WHEEL FILLING MECHANISM Curtis F. Pearl, West Englewoorl, N..I., assignor, by inesne assignments, to The Singer Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Jan. 14, 1963, Ser. No. 251,252 21 Claims. (Cl. 29-208) This invention relates to the art of filling pattern wheels with jack elements, and more particularly, to a mechanism for inserting jacks of dilferent configuration in predetermined array in a pattern wheel.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device 0perable to insert a pattern influencing jack into any selected one of a multiplicity of jack accommodating receptacles in a pattern wheel.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a device operable to insert a jack having a selected one of a plurality of different pattern influencing configurations into any selected one of a multiplicity of jack accommodating receptacles in a pattern wheel.

This invention thus comprehends not only mechanism for filling jacks into pattern wheels, but also associated jack selecting devices whereby so called three position pattern wheels may be filled by the mechanism.

Devices in accordance with this invention have particular utility in filling pattern wheels conventionally used in various types of knitting machines to effect predetermined movement or selection of the knitting elements. In

the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, this invention is shown as applied to the filling of pattern wheels for influencing knitting needles in a knitting machine each to a selected one of three positions i.e., either knit, tuck or Welt, although, it will be readily apparent that this invention may also be used to fill twoposition needle selecting pattern wheels as well as pattern Wheels for influencing knitting elements other than the needles.

In order to ready a knitting machine for the production of a patterned fabric, various analysis and calculations must first be made of which the end result is the selection of the size of pattern wheels to be used to produce the desired pattern and a set of instructions, usually in the form of a chart indicating the manner in which each jack accommodating receptacle or slot in each pattern wheel of the machine is to be filled.

It is conventional procedure then to employ an operator who fills each slot in each pattern wheel in a purely manual operation while reading the instructions on the chart. Such manual loading of pattern wheels is tedious and time consuming, requires operator skill and dexterity of high order, and is subject to considerable inaccuracy.

The present invention provides a device which may be used by an operator possessing only a modicum of skill for mechanically inserting jacks of desired configuration into selected receptacles or slots about the pattern wheel more quickly and more accurately than has been heretofore possible.

It is an object of this invention to provide a jack loading device controlled in response to selective depression of a pluarlity of keys or buttons by an operator. Another object of this invention is to provide a device in which the instructions for loading of the wheel are applied to a control element such as a card or tape which is indexed, sensed to control the filling of jacks in the wheel automatically, and unattended by an operator.

With the above and additional objects and advantages in view as will hereinafter appear, this invention comprises the devices, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents a top plan view of the pattern wheel filling device of this invention,

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the pattern wheel llllling1 device taken substantially along line 22 of FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and illustrating the pattern wheel indexing pawl,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 and illustrating the pattern wheel locking pawl,

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the pattern wheel supporting and aligning means taken substantially along line 55 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view transversely across the pattern wheel supporting and aligning means taken substantially along line 66 of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view partly in transverse cross-section of a pattern wheel filled with jacks and assembled ready for use on a knitting machine,

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 8-8 of FIG. 1 and illustrating the means for guiding jacks into the jack loading station and the jack loading means,

FIGS. 9 and 10 are enlarged cross-sectional views taken substantially along line 9-9 of FIG. 8 and illustrating the manner in which a jack is transferred from the guide means into the pattern Wheel,

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 1111 of FIG. 8 illustrating the manner in which the jacks are fed into the jack loading station,

FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 8-8 of FIG. 1 and illustrating a modified form of means for guiding the jacks into the jack loading station,

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a tape 1 eration.

Referring to FIG. 7, the pattern wheel which the machine illustrated in the drawing is adapted to fill comprises a body portion 21 formed with a hub 22, a recess 23 at one side, and about the periphery beyond the recess 23 with a multiplicity of evenly spaced inclined slots 24. Indicated at 25 in FIG. 7 is a low jack which includes an enlarge tail portion 26, and a cam portion 27 which is offset considerably below the level of the tail portion. In FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 is illustrated a high jack 28 which is formed with an enlarged tail portion 29 identical to the tail portion of the low jack and with a cam portion 30 which is of a different configuration nearer the elevation of the tail portion than the cam portion 27 of the low jack. Either a high jack or a low jack may be positioned in any selected slot 24 in the pattern wheel body portion with the tail portion disposed in the recess 23 thereof as illustrated in FIG. 7. Of course any selected slot 24 may be left empty of any jack. When the body portion 21 of the pattern wheel has been filled with jacks in the desired manner, a jack retaining cover plate 31 is placed on the hub 22 of the body portion and secured thereto by means of the fastening screws 32. The jack retaining cover plate as illustrated in FIG. 7 is formed with an annular recess 33 embracing the enlarged tail portions of the jacks, and with a peripheral flange 34 which bears against the jack tail portions to restrain the jacks in place in the wheel.

When the pattern wheel is to be filled on the device of this invention, the jack retaining cover plate 31 is removed and replaced only after the wheel has been completely filled.

.3 The pattern wheel filling mechanism of this invention is constructed in a box-like frame of which the top cover 41 is formed with a generally rectangular aperture 42 beneath whichwithin the frame 40 is supported an inclined plate 43. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, slidable in ways 44 secured to the inclined plate 43 is a slide plate 45 to which is secured by screws 46, a pattern wheel supporting stud 47. Freely journaled on the supported stud 47 is a sleeve 48 formed with a shouldered bottom portion 49 resting on the slide plate 45 and with a threaded upper portion 50. Disposed on the sleeve 48 against the shouldered bottom portion are two pattern wheel body portions 21A and 21B identical in diameter, cut, and dimension of teeth and spacing thereof to the body portion of the pattern wheel to be filled. The pattern wheel body portions 21A and 21B are locked together on the sleeve by means of a lock nut 51 on the threaded upper portion 50 of the sleeve. Disposed on the sleeve 48 against the lock nut 51 is a pattern wheel body portion to be filled by this device, which in the drawing will be designated as 21C. The pattern wheel 21C is secured on the sleeve 48 by means of a lock nut 52 engaging the threaded upper portion 56 of the sleeve.

For adjusting the position of the pattern wheel supporting stud 47 along the ways 44, a block 53 secured by screws 54 beneath the slide plate 45 is embraced by the collars 55 fastened on a shaft 56 threadedly engaging the side of the frame 40. A knob 57 on the shaft 56 externally of the flange is used to efiect a micrometric adjustment of the position of the pattern wheels as a unit. A scale 58 may be secured to the frame adjacent to the knob 57 to indicate the position of adjustment-of the supporting stud 47. Lost motion of the threaded shaft 56 is minimized by means of a pair of threaded collars 59 on the shaft 56 which are biased apart by a coil spring 60 and constrained relatively to the inclined plate 43 by means of a holding plate 61 secured by screws 62.

The slide plate 45 is formed lengthwise with a slot 63 in which is slidable a headed bolt 64 carrying a template block 65. Adjustably secured by means of fastening screws 66 in inclined grooves 67 in the template block are three locating elements 68, 69 and 70. The locating elements 68, 69 and 70 cooperate each with a respective one of the three pattern wheel body portions 21A, 21B and 21C when the template block 65 is shifted toward the pattern wheels into the dotted line position illustrated in FIG. 5 so as to establish a predetermined angular relationship between the three wheels while the lock nuts 51 and 52 are loosened. After being oriented by the locating elements 68, 69 and 70 on the template block, the pattern wheels are locked together on the sleeve 48 by the lock nuts 51 and 52, and the template block 65 is shifted to the solid line position illustrated in FIG. 5. A steadying bar 71 on the bolt 64 is shifted so as to embrace a pilot pin 72 atop the sleeve 48 and a cam 73 pivoted at 74 atop the bolt 64 may be turned to clamp the template block and steadying bar firmly on the slide plate 45.

In place of the jack retaining cover plate 31, the pattern wheel body portion 210 cooperates during the filling of the jacks by the device of this invention with a cover 75 best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5. The cover '75 is formed with an-annular recess 76 for accommodating the enlarged tail portions of jacks as is the conventional jack retaining cover plate 31; however, the peripheral flange 77 on the cover 75 does not clamp the jack tail portions as does the conventional jack retaining cover plate 31, and the cover 75 is formed with a lateral slot 78 leading to the recess 76. A pin 79 on the steadying bar 71 enters an aperture 80 in the cover 75 to lock the lateral slot 78 in a predetermined position relatively to the frame 40 of this device. The lateral slot 78 in the cover 75 together with a jack accommodating slot 24 in the pattern wheel body portion 210 which is in alignment with the lateral slot 7 8 together defined a jack load ing station in which jacks may be introduced into the pattern wheel body portion 210. The cover 75 prevents jacks from accidental displacement out of the pattern wheel in any position other than that of the jack loading station.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the pattern wheel body portions 21A, B and C clamped together on the sleeve 43 are supported as described above with the pattern Wheel 21B in engageemnt with an indexing pawl 96, and with the pattern wheel 21A in engagement with a locking pawl 91.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the indexing pawl is pivoted on a pawl carrier 92 and biased by means of a spring 93 into engagement with the pattern wheel body portion 21B. The pawl carrier 92 is slidably constrained in a block 94 carried by the frame 40 and additionally guided by a pair of rods 95 projecting from the block 94. Journaled on the pawl carrier 92 is a follower roller 96 which rides on an inclined cam track 97 formed on a cam member 98 slidably constrained in slotted bosses 9'9 and 100 in the frame 41). The cam member 93 is secured to the plunger 1111 of a solenoid controlled pneumatically operated power unit 102 carried in the frame 40. Motion of the cam member 93 is limited in one direction by a stop bolt 163 threaded into the frame 40 and adapted to be secured in position by a lock nut 104, and in the other direction by an adjustable stop 165 comprising a threaded stop head 166 threaded into the boss 160 from which a rod 107 extends outwardly of the frame 40 where it has secured thereon a knob 103 for effecting a micrometric adjustment of the stop. Lost motion of the adjustable stop 105 is minimized by means of a collar 169 on the rod 107 and a coil spring 110, which acts between the collar and the frame 40. A scale 111 may be secured to the frame adjacent to the knob 108 to indicate the position of adjustment of the stop 105.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the locking pawl 91 is pivotally supported on a fulcrum pin in the block 94. The locking pawl 91 is formed with a lateral operating arm 121 which is apertured as at 122 to accommodate the operating plunger 123 of a solenoidcontrolled pneumatically operated power unit 124 carried by the frame A coil spring 125 disposed between a collar 126 on the plunger 123 and the operating arm 121 of the locking pawl 91 serves to transmit motion of the pawl 91 toward the pattern wheel 21A with provision for an overthrow or excess travel of the plunger 123. A collar 127 secured on the plunger 123 at the opposite side of the operating arm 121 serves to retract the locking pawl upon the return motion of the plunger 123.

As will be explained in greater detail hercinbelow, the operation of this device involves the indexing of the pattern wheel body portion 21C to bring each jack accommodating slot 24 thereof in seriatim into registry with the jack loading station. Each jack accommodating slot 24 is in seriatim temporarily locked in registry with the jack loading station so that a jack of selected configuration may be inserted. The indexing power unit 1102 described above accomplishes pattern wheel indexing between successive jack accommodating slots and the locking power unit 124 accomplishes the temporary locking of the pattern wheel in each successive jack loading position.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8 to 11, a preferred embodiment will now be described of the devices for selectively inserting jacks of different configurations into selected jack accommodating slots 24 in the pattern wheel body portion 21C to be filled.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 8, a block is secured to a crosshead 141 which is constrained for reciprocatory motion in ways 142 in the frame 40 of the device. The block 140 is formed with spaced vertical guide slots 143 and 144, each guide slot being shaped to accommodate a vertical stack of jacks of a particular configuration. FIG. 11 illustrates the cross-sectional shape of the guide slot 143 which is adapted to accommodate a stack of high jacks 28. The guide slot 144 is in like fashion formed to accommodate low jacks 25 in vertically stacked relation. Each of the guide slots 143 and 144 are preferably open at the top of the block 143 and along that edge of the block 140 which is adjacent the pattern wheel to be filled. The guide slots 143 and 144 at the side of the block 140 adjacent to the pattern wheel to be filled, however, are closed by a cover member 145 which extends short of the bottom of the block 140 by an amount slightly greater than the thickness of one jack as illustrated in FIG. 8. The cover member 145 may be formed as the downturned free extremity of a track 146 which is shaped to convey the jacks from hoppers 147 to the guide slots 143144. Spring loaded pins 143 carried by each track 146 and disposed vertically above the guide slots 143 and 144 serve to assist in the orientation of the jacks as the jacks move from the tracks 146 into the guide slots 143- 144. The block 140 is formed opposite each guide slot 143444 with a transverse slot 153451 respectively, each of said transverse slots 1511-151 having slidable therein a jack inserting member 152 including a plate 153 of substantially the same thickness as a jack and secured to a guide block 154 which is acted upon by a return spring 155. A pin 156 in the block 154 enters a slot 157 in the block 14a) to limit the motion of each jack-inserting member 152. The free extremity of each blade 153 is shaped to correspond with the configuration of the particular jack with which the blade is adapted to cooperate. FIGS. 9 and illustrate the blade 153 which cooperates with the high jacks 28 and illustrates the manner in which the shape of the free extremity of the blade 153 in conforming with the shape of the jack serves to advance the jack properly into the slot 24 of the pattern Wheel.

The block 140 and crosshead 141 are connected to a plunger 170 of a solenoid controlled pneumatically operated power unit 171 carried by the frame 41). By means of the power unit 171, a shift of the block 140 may be effected so as to position selectively either one of the guide slots 143 or 144 into registry with the jack loading station. The tracks 146 may be either flexible or pivotally arranged relatively to the hoppers 147 so as to accommodate the shifting motion of the block 140.

Stop blocks 172 on the crosshead 141 serve to limit the motion of the block 141) and define the alternative positions thereof placing one or the other of the guide slots 143 or 144 into registry with the jack loading station. Preferably the at-rest position of the power unit 171, that is, with the solenoid control de-energized, positions the guide slot 143 for the high jacks 28 into registry with the jack loading station since high jacks are most frequently required to be inserted in the pattern wheel slots.

Supported in alignment with the jack loading station but at the opposite side of the block 140 from the pattern wheel 210 is a push rod 173 secured to a plunger 174 of a solenoid controlled pneumatically operated double acting power unit 175. When energized, the power unit 175 serves to advance the push rod 173 so that jack inserting member 152 which is disposed in the jack loading station will thus transfer the lowermost jack in the selected one of the guide slots 143-144 into the registering slot of the pattern wheel. When de-energized, the power unit 175 serves to retract the push rod 173 beyond the block 140 so that the block 140 can move freely.

Each of the power units 102, 124, 171 and 175 for indexing, locking, jack selection and jack loading, respectively, may be similar in construction and operation. Preferably, these power units may be pneumatically operated and are of the type which the advance motion is gradual upon solenoid energization and in which the return motion is accomplished positively upon de-energization of the solenoid.

FIG. 12 illustrates a construction of the jack selecting block and associated jack feeding means in a form modified from that illustrated in FIG. 8. FIG. 12 illustrates one of the tracks 146 from the hoppers 147 and illustrates the manner in which the track joins a jackconveying passageway formed in the block 141) and leading to a guide slot 143. An air nozzle 181 may be formed in the block 140 and directed into the passageway 180 to assist in feeding the jacks toward the guide slot.

A plunger 182 bearing against the jacks disposed in the guide slot 143 is operated by a double acting air cylinder 183 positively to urge the jacks downwardly in the guide slot. The plunger 132 is returned when the jack inserting member 186 is retracted. The cover member 145 for the guide slot 143, as in the version of FIG. 8, extends short of the bottom of the guide slot so as to release the lowermost jack for movement from the guide slot and into the pattern wheel in response to the movement of the blade 185 of a jack inserting member 186 slidable in the transverse slot 187 in the block 140.

In the modification illustrated in FIG. 12, the block 141) beneath the guide slot 143 is fitted with an insert 188 of material which is an electrical insulator. Electrical conducting contact plate 189 is afiixed to the insulated insert 138 beneath the guide slot 143 for engagement with the jacks in the slot. A relief 19!) is formed beneath the free end of the plate 185 so that an electric circuit between the contact plate 189 and the block 140 is completed only when jacks are present in the guide slot 143. Electrical leads 191 may be directed from the contact plate 189 and from the block 140 to a signaling device for indicating a malfunction of the jack feeding means.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, three operator influenced keys or push buttons 2%, 201 and 2112 are provided on the frame 411 for operator influence of the jack loading device. The keys Zdtl, 2111 and 202 are each associated with momentary impulse switches and when depressed, serve to influence, respectively, the loading of a high jack, the loading of a low jack, or the provision of an empty slot in the pattern wheel being loaded.

Referring to the wiring diagram of FIG. 14, supply lines 210 and 211 are connected by way of a conventional line switch 212 to a transformer 213 providing lines 214 and 215 of a control circuit preferably of reduced voltage across which are impressed the electrical devices of the jack inserting unit. While the electrical devices of the tape read out unit may be impressed directly across the supply lines 210 and 211, it will be appreciated that although not shown, additional supply lines of any desired voltage of either alternating or direct current may be similarly provided for any of the electrical components hereinafter referred to; as for instance, the solenoids may be operated by a supply of direct current.

The push buttons 209, 231 and 202 are each associated with a two circuit momentary switch 220, 221 and 222 respectively of which one circuit is normally closed and the other normally open. The normally closed circuits of each of the switches 221i, 221 and 222 are cormected in series across the lines 214 and 215 with a diode rectifier DR-l and a capacitor C-l providing a momentary impulse circuit which may be discharged by the depression of any one of the buttons 2%, 201 or 2192 to energize the latch coil of latching relays LR-l, LR3 or LR-4 respectively to effect a blank slot, insertion of a low jack, or insertion of a high jack as will be described hereinbelow. A resistor in parallel therewith will prevent the capacitor from holding a charge after the power has been disconnected.

Each of the latch coils of the latching relays LR1, LR-3 and LR-4 are also arranged in an alternate circuit between the lines 214 and 215, which alternate circuit contains relay contacts controlled by the tape readout unit as will be described later so that the various jack loading alternatives may be controlled by the tape rather than manually. A gang switch 225 is provided for connecting either the momentary impulse circuit or the alternate circuit across the lines 214 and 215 and also for simultaneously opening and closing the supply line 210 to the electrical components of the tape read out unit, thus readying the unit for either manual or tape controlled operation.

Considering first the manual operation, depression of the button 292 will discharge the condenser C-i through normally closed contacts LR-2C of a latching relay LR-2 and across the latch coil of a latching relay LR-ll. Contacts LR1lA of latching relay LR1 will close and thus impress the solenoid of the indexing power unit 132 across the lines 214 and 215 so that an index of the pattern wheel will occur. Indicated at Sll in E6. 14 is a normally open switch which is closed upon completion of the stroke of the indexing power unit M2 and serves to complete a circuit through both the release coil of latcmng relay LR-l and the latch coil of late *ing relay LR-Z. The contacts LRl-A open and the indexing power unit 102 is returned and contacts LR2C open to prevent inadvertent repeat of the indexing operation. The contacts LR2-A close and complete a circuit through the solenoid of the locking power unit 124 so that the pattern wheel will be locked in the newly indexed position.

Indicated at S2 in FIG. 14 is a normally open switch which is closed upon completion of the stroke of the locking power unit 124 and serves to complete three possible circuits. A circuit through normally closed contacts LRGA and LR3A of latching relays LR4 and LR-3 respectively energizes a release coil of latching relay LR2 and the counting coil of a counting relay CC-ll. The counting relay CC-l is set to count the total number of jack accommodating slots in the wheel being filled and after that number of indexing and locking operations to open contacts CC-IA in the supply line 216- to terminate jack loading operations. When the release coil of latching relay LR-Z is energized, the contacts LR2-A will open and the locking power unit 124 is returned. When the push button 202 is depressed, neither of latching relays LR-3 or Lil-4 will be energized and contacts LR-3A and LR4A will remain closed. The energization of the release coil of latching relay LR-Z is the termination of each jack loading operation for each slot in the wheel.

If the operator should depress the push button 2% signailing insertion of a high jack, the latch coil of latching relay LR- i will be energized, and similarly depression of the push button 261 signalling insertion of a low jack will result in the energization of the latch coil of latching relay LR-3. In either case, one of the contacts LR3C or LR- iC will close completing a circuit across the latch coil of latching relay LR-l just as if the button 292 had been depressed. The indexing and locking operations above described will therefore occur in the same fashion with exception of the fact that upon closure of the switch S2 by the locking power unit, the relay LR-Z cannot be released because one of the contacts LR-3A or LR-dA will be opened. Another of the three possible circuits through the switch 8-2 will, however, be completed.

If the button 2% is depressed and the latch coil of relay LR-4 energized, the contacts LR4-B will be closed impressing a solenoid of the pusher power unit 175 across the lines 214, 215. It will be recalled that the normal position of the crosshead 141 of the jack inserting unit occurs with the guide slot 143 for the high jacks in registry with the jack loading station and therefore, operation of the power unit 175 will insert a high jack into the slot indexed and locked in the position for jack loading. In dicated at S3 in FIG. 14 is a normally open switch which is closed upon completion of the stroke of the pusher power unit 175 and serves to energize the release coil of latching relay LR-4. Contacts LR-4B will open to cause the pusher power unit to be retracted and the contacts LR-4A will be closed to complete a circuit to the release coil of latching relay LR2 and the counting coil CC-l to terminate the loading operation of the high jack.

If the button 201 is depressed and the latch coil of LR-3 energized, the contacts Lil-3B will be closed impressing a solenoid of the selector power unit 171 across the lines 214, 215. Operation of the selector power unit will shift the crosshead 141 to bring the guide slot 144 for the low jacks into registry with the jack loading station. Indicated at 225 in FIG. 14 is a two-circuit momentary push button switch of which the normally closed circuit is in series with a momentary impulse circuit including a diode rectifier DR2 and a capacitor C-2. When the switch 226 is reversed by engagement by the selector power unit 171 at the completion of its stroke, the capacitor will be discharged through the latch coil of latching relay LR4. Contacts LR4-B will close energizing the solenoid of the pusher power unit 175 as described above and the insertion of a low jack will be accomplished. The pusher power unit 175 in retracted position engages and holds a two circuit momentary push button switch 227, with the contacts in positions illustrated in FIG. 14. When the pusher power unit is operated by its solenoid, the switch 227 is disengaged and reverts to the normal positions in which a circuit is closed in series with a diode rectifier DR3 and a capacitor C3. When, upon closure of switch S3 the pusher power unit solenoid is deenergized and the pusher returns to retracted position, the switch 227 contacts will be reversed, i.e., returned to the position illustrated in FIG. 14, and the capacitor C3 will discharge through the release coil of latching relay LP3, the contacts LRS-E will thus be open to deenergize the solenoid of the selector power unit 171 and the release coil of the latching relay LR-Z will be energized to complete the low jack inserting operation.

Referring now to that portion of 16. 14 labeled tape read out unit and to FIG. 13 of the drawings, the operation of the tape control of the jack inserting unit will now be described.

FIG. 13 illustrates diagrammatically an arrangement in which intelligence for completely automatic control of the jack loading device is carried by a tape 230 in the form of intelligence apertures in aligned rows in the tape and in which intelligence pickup devices are employed for translating such intelligence into signals usable for automatically controlling the jack loading device.

Preferably the tape 23% may take the form of a strip of conventional photographic movie film, with feed sprocket holes 231 along each edge of the film strip cooperating with a feed sprocket 232 to advance the strip. The drive for the sprocket (not shown) may be comprised of a constant speed motor and a conventional solenoid controlled brake and solenoid controlled clutch connecting the motor with the sprocket 232.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, a record of intelligence is carried on the film strip by means of four aligned rows of apertures 233, 245, 235 and 236 respectively. Four intelligence pick-up devices 243, 244, 245 and 246 are indi cated, one for each aligned row of apertures 233-236 respectively. Each of the pick-up devices includes a sensing arm 250 disposed to track its respective row of apertures and a switch 251 controlled by the sensing arm. The pick-up devices 243, 244 and 245 correspond respectively to blank, low and high jack selections, while pickup device 246 serves to signal completion of the filling of a wheel.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the switch of pick-up device 246 is arranged in the line 210 to terminate operation of the unit when the tape signals that the wheel filling has been completed.

Switches 243, 244 and 245 are arranged each in a circuit across lines 210 and 211 in series with relays R-9, R-llt and R-ll respectively. When a tape is first inserted in the read out unit of FIG. 13 and before any of the pick-up devices sense an aperture in the tape, the contacts RQ-C, Rli-C and Rll-C in series with a relay R-8 will all occupy normally closed position energizing relay R-S. Contacts RS-A and R8B Will both be held closed and relays R-6 and R-7 will thus be energized.

Relay R6 controls contacts R-A and R-6B in series respectively with a brake solenoid and a clutch solenoid for the feed sprocket drive. When the relay R-6 is energized, the feed sprocket Will be driven.

Relay R-7 controls normally open holding contacts R-7A in series with the contacts LRZ-B of the latching relay LR2 in the jack inserting unit and the relay R-7. Normally open contacts R-7B which are held closed by relay R7 are arranged in the alternate circuit to the latch relays LR1, Lid-3 and LR4- in the jack inserting unit. When the tape control unit is to be operated, the switch 225 will be shifted to render the alternate circuit ready for operation and to connect the supply line 210 to the tape read out unit.

The tape will thus be fed Without operation of the jack inserting unit until one of the pick-up devices 243, 244, 245 senses an aperture in the tape and energizes the corresponding relay R9, R-li) or R41.

In the alternate circuit from the gang switch 225 to the supply line 215, the contacts R9-A are in series with the latch coil of LR-ll, contacts RltP-A with that of LR-3 and contacts Rll-A with that of LR-4. It will be appreciated therefore that closure of any of the switches 243, 244 or 245 will have the identical effect on the jack inserting unit as does manual depression of push buttons 2 .52, 201 and 209 respectively as described above.

When any one of the switches 243, 244 or 245 is closed by the sensing of an aperture in the tape, the drive for the feed sprocket 232 will immediately be discontinued and the brake applied to stop the tape with that switch sensing the aperture. The stoppage of the tape is accomplished by the opening of one of the contacts R9-C, Rltl-C and R11C in series with the relay R-S. The contacts R8A and 128-13 will open and relay R-6 will be deenergized to apply the brake and release the clutch while relay R7 Will remain energized because of the holding circuit LR-ZB and R7-A. Since the latch relay LR-2 is not energized until after indexing is complete, the contacts LR-ZB will remain closed for a time interval after initiation of any jack loading operation thus maintaining relay R-7 energized and contacts R7-C open so that relay R-6 Will be deenengized.

As the jack loading operation proceeds and latching relay LR2 is energized, contacts LR-ZB will open deenergizing relay R-7. Contacts R-7B will open to prevent initiation of any additional jack inserting operation and contacts R-7C will close. It will be appreciated that one of the contacts R9B, R-WB or R-llllB will be held closed depending upon Which of the switches 243, 244, 2 25 senses an aperture in the tape so that together with normally closed contacts R7-C, the circuit in series with the relay R-6 controlling the tape feed will be completed as soon as the latch relay LR-Z is released upon completion of the jack inserting operation. Closure of the relay LRZ-B at this time will energize the relay R6 and initiate the sprocket wheel feed. As soon as the tape feed begins, however, the pick-up device which had been sensing a tape aperture will leave the aperture and all of the relays R9, R-1ii and Rlll will become deenergized. The circuit to relay R6 through LRZ-B, R-7C and one of the contacts R-9B, R-ltiB or R4113 will open, but simultaneously all of the contacts R-9C, R-lltiC and R-1lC will close and relay R43 will be energized closing cont-acts R8-A to energize the relay R6.

The tape feed will then continue and the tape read out unit will be in readiness to control the jack inserting unit upon the sensing of the next succeeding aperture in the tape.

It will be appreciated that the apertures in each aligned 10 row on the tape 230 need not be sensed at acommon point along :the tape, but the arrangement of the apertures on the tape must conform to the spacing and relative arrangement of the pick-up devices 243 to 246.

The use of a tape 230 or an equivalent card or other intelligence recordcarrying member provides for completely automatic loading of the jacks in a pattern Wheel with unvarying accuracy. The tape moreover, provides an extremely inexpensive record of each particular pattern which may be stored conveniently for re-use whenever desired.

Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, what is claimed herein is:

1. A device for loading jacks into a pattern wheel formed With a multiplicity of jack accommodating receptacles, comprising a frame, means on said frame defining a jack loading station for insertion of jacks into said pattern wheel jack accommodating receptacles, means for supporting a pattern wheel relatively to said frame with one of said pack accommodating receptacles in registry with said jack loading station, guide means on said frame shiftably supporting a jack for movement into said jack loading station, indexing means for advancing said pattern Wheel jack accommodating receptacles in seriatim into registry With said jack loading station, and jack shifting means for introducing a jack from said guide means into any selected one of said multiplicity of jack accommodating receptacles disposed in registry with said jack loading station.

2. A device for loading jacks into a pattern wheel formed with a multiplicity of jack accommodating receptacles, comprising a frame, means on said frame defining a jack loading station for insertion of jacks into said pattern wheel jack accommodating receptacles, means for supporting a pattern Wheel relatively to said frame with one of said jack accommodating receptacles in registry with said jack loading station, guide means on said frame shiftably supporting a jack for movement into said jack loading station, indexing means for advancing said pattern Wheel jack accommodating receptacles in seriatim into registry with said jack loading station, locking means operable in sequence after each operation of said indexing means for sustaining said pattern Wheel with a jack accommodating receptacle disposed in registry With said jack loading station, and jack shifting means for introducing a jack from said guide means into any selected one of said multiplicity of jack accommodating receptacles during operation of said locking means.

3. A device for loading jacks into a pattern wheel formed with a multiplicity of jack accommodating receptacles, comprising a frame, means on said frame defining a jack loading station for insertion of jacks into said pattern Wheel jack accommodating receptacles, means for supporting a pattern wheel relatively to said frame with one of said jack accommodating receptacles in registry with said jack loading station, guide means on said frame shiftably supporting a jack for movement into said jack loading station, means for delivering successive jacks in like attitude to said guide means, indexing means for advancing said pattern wheel jack accommodating receptacles in seriatim into registry with said jack loading station, and jack shifting means for transferring the foremost jack delivered into said guide means into any selected one of said multiplicity of jack accommodating receptacles upon registry of said selected receptacle with said jack loading station.

4. A device for loading jacks into a pattern Wheel formed with a multiplicity of jack accommodating receptacles, comprising a frame, means on said frame defining a jack loading station for insertion of jacks into said pattern Wheel jack accommodating receptacles, means for supporting a pattern Wheel relatively to said frame with one of said jack accommodating receptacles in mg istry with said jack loading station, indexing means for advancing said pattern wheel jack accommodating receptacles in seriatim into registry with said jack loading station, a plurality of guide means on said frame each guide means supporting jacks of a specific configuration for insertion into said pattern wheel, means operable during any operation of said indexing means for positioning a selected one of said guide means into registry with said jack loading station, and jack shifting means for introducing a jack from said selected one of said guide means into the registering jack accommodating receptacle of the pattern wheel upon any operation of said indexing means.

5. A device for loading jacks into a pattern wheel formed with a multiplicity of jack accommodating receptacles, comprising a frame, means on said frame defining a jack loading station for insertion of jacks into said pattern wheel jack accommodating receptacles, means for supporting a pattern wheel relatively to said frame with one of said jack accommodating receptacles in registry with said jack loading station, indexing means for advancing said pattern Wheel jack accommodating receptacles in seriatim into registry with said jack loading station, a plurality of guide means on said frame each guide means supporting jacks of a specific configuration for insertion into said pattern wieel, a separate jack feeding means associated with each of said guide means for delivering to each guide means successive jacks of like configuration and in like attitude, means operable following any operation of said indexing means for positioning a selected one of said guide means into registry with said jack loading station, and jack shifting means movable in registry with said jack loading station for transferring from said selected one of said guide means into the registering jack accommodating receptacle of the pattern wheel the foremost jack delivered into the selected guide means by said jack feeding means.

6. A device for loading jacks into a three position pattern wheel formed with a multiplicity of jack accommodating receptacles, comprising a frame, means on said frame defining a jack loadin station for insertion of jacks into said pattern wheel jack accommodating receptacles, means for supporting a pattern wheel relatively to said frame with one of said jack accommodating receptacles in registry with said jack loading station, indexing means for advancing said pattern wheel jack accommodating receptacles, in seriatim into registry with said jack loading station, a pair of guide means on said frame one supporting high jacks and the other supporting low jacks for insertion into said pattern wheel, means for normally positioning said guide means supporting high jacks in registry with said jack loading station, means for temporarily moving said guide means to position said guide means supporting said low jacks in registry with said jack loading station, jack shifting means for introducing a jack from that guide means positioned in registry with said jack loading station into a registering jack accommodating receptacle of the pattern Wheel, a first actuating means for said device effective only to operate said indexing means, a second actuating means for said device effective to operate in sequence said indexing means and said jack shifting means, and a third actuating means for said device effective to operate in sequence said indexing means, said temporary guide moving means, and said jack shifting means.

7. A device for loading jacks into a pattern wheel formed with a multiplicity of radial jack accommodating slots, comprising a frame, means on said frame defining a jack loading station for insertion of jacks into said pattern wheel jack accommodating slots, means for supporting a pattern wheel relatively to said frame with one of said jack accommodating slots in registry with said jack loading station, guide means on said frame shiftably supporting a jack for movement into a position radially of said pattern wheel and in said jack loading station, indexing means for turning said pattern wheel to position said jack accommodating slots in seriatim into registry with said jack loading station, and jack shifting means for introducing a jack from said guide means into any selected one of said multiplicity of jack accommodating slots disposed in registry with said jack loading station.

8. A device for loading jacks into a pattern wheel formed with a multiplicity of radial jack accommodating slots, comprising a frame, means on said frame defining a jack loading station for insertion of jacks into said pattern wheel jack accommodating slots, means for supporting a pattern wheel to be loaded with jacks and an identical empty pattern Wheel coaxially, in predetermined angular relation one to the other and with one of the jack accommodating slots of said pattern wheel to be loaded with jacks disposed relatively to said frame in registry with said jack loading station, guide means on said frame shiftably supporting a jack for movement into a position in said jack loading station, indexing means cooperating with said identical empty pattern Wheel for turning said pattern wheel to be loaded with jacks to position said jack accommodating slots in seriatim into registry with said jacl; loading station, and jack shifting means for introducing a jack from said guide means into any selected one of said multiplicity of jack accommodating slots disposed in registry with said jack loading station.

9. A device as set forth in claim 8 in which the means for supporting said identical pattern wheels comprises a stud journaled relatively to said frame on which said pattern wheels are adapted to be accommodated in predetermined axially spaced relation, a template member shiftably supported on said frame for movement toward and away from said pattern wheels, locating elements carried by said template member and disposed for engagement in said pattern wheel jack accommodating slots to establish said predetermined angular relation between said pattern wheels, and means on said stud for locking said pattern wheels together in said predetermined angular relation.

10. A device for loading jacks into a pattern wheel formed with a multiplicity of radial jack accommodating slots comprising a frame, means on said frame defining a jack loading station for insertion of jacks into said pa tern wheel jack accommodating slots, means for supporting a pattern wheel to be loaded with jacks and two additional identical empty pattern Wheels coaxially, in predetermined angular relation each to the others, and with one of the jack accommodating slots of said pattern wheel to be loaded with jacks disposed relatively to said frame in registry with said jack loading station, guide means on said frame shiftably supporting a jack for movement into a position in said jack loading station, indexing means cooperating with one of said identical empty pattern wheels for turning said pattern wheel to be loaded with jacks to position said jack accommodating slots in seriatim into registry with said jack loading station, locking means operating in sequence after each operation of said indexing means and cooperating with the other of said identical empty pattern wheels for sustaining said pattern wheel to be loaded with jacks with a jack accommodating slot in registry with said jack loading station, and jack shifting means effective during any selected operation of said locking means for introducing a jack from said guide means into any selected one of said multiplicity of jack accommodating slots.

11. A device as set forth in claim 10 in which the means for supporting a pattern wheel relatively to said frame with one of said jack accommodating slots in registry with said jack loading station, guide means on said frame shiftably supporting a jack for movement into a position radially of said pattern wheel and in said jack loading station, indexing means for turning said pattern wheel to position said jack accommodating slots in seriatim into registry with said jack loading station, and jack shifting means for introducing a jack from said guide means into any selected one of said multiplicity of jack accommodating slots disposed in registry with said jack loading station.

12. A device for filling a pattern wheel of the type having a body member formed with a multiplicity of jack accommodating slots open radially outward and axially to one side of said body member with jacks each having an enlarged butt extending inwardly of said body member and protruding axially from said jack accommodating slots in said body member and held in place in said jack accommodating slots by a jack restraining plate secured detachably to said body member, formed with an annular jack butt accommodating recess, and adapted to be detachably secured to said body member, said jack filling device comprising a frame, means on said frame defining a jack loading station for insertion of jacks into said pattern wheel jack accommodating slots, said means including a cover member adapted to cooperate with said pattern wheel body member in place of said jack restraining plate during the filling of said pattern wheel, said cover member being fixed relatively to said frame, provided with an annular jack buttaccommodating recess similar to that of said jack restraining plate, and formed.

with a radial jack accommodating opening defining said jack loading station, means for supporting a pattern wheel body member relatively to said frame with one of said jack accommodating slots in registry with said jack loading station, guide means on said frame shiftably supporting a jack for movement into said jack loading station, indexing means for advancing said pattern wheel jack accommodating slots in seriatim into registry with said jack loading station, and jack shifting means for introducing a jack from said guide means into any selected one of said multiplicity of jack accommodating slots disposed in registry with said jack loading station.

13. A device for loading jacks into a pattern Wheel formed with a multiplicity of jack accommodating receptacles, comprising a frame, means on said frame defining a jack loading station for insertion of jacks into said pattern wheel jack accommodating receptacles, means for supporting a pattern wheel relatively to said frame with one of said jack accommodating receptacles in registry with said jack loading station, guide means on said frame shiftably supporting a jack for movement into said jack loading station, an electrically controlled indexing means for advancing said pattern wheel jack accommodating receptacles in seriatim into registry with said jack loading station, an electrically controlled means for introducing a jack from said guide means into a jack accommodating receptacle in said pattern wheel, electrical switch means operated in response to operation of said indexing means for energizing said jack shifting means, and operator influenced control means for selectively rendering said electrical switch means effective or ineifective during each operation of said indexing means.

14. A device for loading jacks into a pattern wheel formed with a multiplicity of jack accommodating receptacles, comprising a frame, means on said frame defining a jack loading station for insertion of jacks into said pattern wheel jack accommodating receptacles, means for supporting a pattern wheel relatively to said frame with one of said jack accommodating receptacles in registry with said jack loading station, an electrically controlled indexing means for advancing said pattern wheel jack accommodating receptacles in seriatim into registry with said jack loading station, a plurality of guide means on said frame each guide means supporting jacks of a specific configuration for insertion into said pattern wheel, means operable during any operation of said indexing means for positioning a selected one of said guide means into registry with said jack loading station, an electrically controlled jack shifting means for introducing a jack from said selected one of said guide means into the registering jack accommodating receptacle of the pattern wheel, and a plurality of electrical control means operable alternatively so as to select operation of said electrically controlled indexing means alone to eifect an empty jack accommodating slot in said pattern wheel or operation of said electrically controlled indexing means in conjunction with said electrically controlled positioning means and jack shifting means to effect introduction of a jack from any selected one of said guide means into each jack accommodating receptacle of the pattern wheel.

15. A device for loading jacks into a three position pattern wheel formed with a multiplicity of jack accommodating receptacles, comprising a frame, means on said frame defining a jack loading station for insertion of jacks into said pattern wheel jack accommodating receptacles, means for supporting a pattern wheel relatively to said frame with one of said jack accommodating receptacles in registry with said jack loading station, an electrically controlled indexing means for advancing said pattern Wheel jack accommodating receptacles, in seriatim into registry with said jack loading station, a pair of guide means on said frame one supporting high jacks and the other supporting low jacks for insertion into said pattern wheel, means for normally positioning said guide means supporting high jacks in registry with said jack loading station, an electrically controlled means for temporarily moving said guide means to position said guide means supporting said low jacks in registry with said jack loading station, an electrically controlled jack shifting means for introducing a jack from that guide means positioned in registry with said jack loading station into a registering jack accommodating receptacle of the pattern wheel, a first electrical control means for said device effective only to operate said indexing means to provide an empty jack accommodating receptacle, a second electrical control means for said device effective to operate in sequence said indexing means and said jack shifting means to insert a high jack into a selected jack accommodating receptacle, and a third electrical means for said device eifective to operate in sequence said indexing means, said temporary guide moving means, and said jack shifting means to insert a low jack into a selected jack accommodating receptacle.

16. A device for loading jacks into a pattern Wheel formed with a multiplicity of jack accommodating receptacles, comprising a frame, means on said frame defining a jack loading station for insertion of jacks into said pattern wheel jack accommodating receptacles, means for supporting a pattern wheel relatively to said frame with one of said jack accommodating receptacles in registry with said jack loading station, guide means on said frame shiftably supporting a jack for movement into said jack loading station, indexing means for advancing said pattern Wheel jack accommodating receptacles in seriatim into registry with said jack loading station, jack shifting means for introducing a jack from said guide means into any selected one of said multiplicity of jack accommodating receptacles disposed in registry with said jack loading station, and a counting device pulsed by each operation of said indexing means for providing an indication that a requisite number of jack accommodating receptacles have been treated in seriatim during each operation of said device.

17. A device for loading jacks into a three position pattern wheel formed with a multiplicity of jack accommodating receptacles, comprising a frame, means on said frame defining a jack loading station for insertion of jacks into said pattern wheel jack accommodating receptacles, means for supporting a pattern wheel relatively to said frame with one of said jack accommodating receptacles in registry with said jack loading station, an electrically controlled indexing means for advancing said pattern wheel jack accommodating receptacles, in seriatim into registry with said jack loading station, a pair of guide means on said frame one supporting high jacks and the other supporting low jacks for insertion into said pattern wheel, means for normally positioning said guide means supporting high jacks in registry with said jack loading station, an electrically controlled means for temporarily moving said guide means to position said guide means supporting said low jacks in registry with said jack loading station, an electrically controlled jack shifting means for introducing a jack from that guide means positioned in registry with said jack loading station into a registering jack accommodating receptacle of the pattern wheel, a first electrical control means for said device effective only to operate said indexing means to provide an empty jack accommodating receptacle, a second electrical control means for said device efiective to operate in sequence said indexing means and said jack shifting means to insert a high jack into a selected jack accommodating receptacle, and a third electrical means for said device effective to operate in sequence said indexing means, said temporary guide moving means, an electrically operated counting device, means effective in response to each o eration of said indexing means for pulsing said counting device, and switch means controlled by said counting device upon a preselected number of pulses thereof for rendering the entire jack loading device inoperative.

18. A device for loading jacks into a pattern wheel formed with a multiplicity of jack accommodating receptacles, comprising a frame, means on said frame defining a jack loading station for insertion of jacks into said pattern wheel jack accommodating receptacles, means for supporting a pattern wheel relatively to said frame with one of said jack accommodating receptacles in registry with said jack loading station, guide means on said frame shiftably supporting a jack for movement into said jack loading station, indexing means for advancing said pattern wheel jack accommodating receptacles in seriatim into registry with said jack loading station, an electrically controlled jack shifting means for introducing a jack from said guide means into a jack accommodating receptacle in said pattern wheel, electrical switch means operated in response to operation of said indexing means for energizing said jack shifting means, an intelligence recordcarrying member shiftably supported relatively to said frame, means for imparting an increment of motion to said intelligence record carrying member in response to each operation of said indexing means, intelligence pickup means mounted on said frame for sensing and responding to said record carrying member for selectively rendering said electrical switch means effective or ineliective during each operation of said indexing means.

19. A device as set forth in claim 18 in which said intelligence record carrying member comprises a strip of photographic movie film formed with evenly spaced sprocket holes and with at least one lengthwise row of intelligence apertures, and in which said intelligence pickup means comprises a switch means including a switch operating arm arranged to sense said intelligence apertures in said film.

20. A device for loading jacks into a three position pattern wheel formed with a multiplicity of jack accommodating receptacles, comprising a frame, means on said frame defining a jack loading station for insertion of jacks into said pattern wheel jack accommodating receptacles, means for supporting a pattern wheel relatively to said frame with one of said jack accommodating receptacles in registry with said jack loading station, an electrically controlled indexing means for advancing said pattern wheel jack accommodating receptacles, in seriatim into registry with said jack accommodating receptacles, in seriatim into registry with said jack loading station, a pair of guide means on said frame one supporting high jacks and the other supporting low jacks for insertion into said pattern wheel, means for normally positioning said guide means supporting high jacks in registry with said jack loading station, an electrically controlled means for temporarily moving said guide means to position said guide means supporting said low jacks in registry with said jack loading station, an electrically controlied jack shifting means for introducing a jack from that guide means positioned in registry with said jack loading station into a registering jack accommodating receptacle of the pattern wheel, a first electrical control means for said device eifective only to operate said indexing means to provide an empty jack accommodating receptacle, a second electrical control means for said device effective to operate in sequence said indexing means and said jack shifting means to insert a high jack into a selected jack accommodating receptacle, and a third electrical means for said device effective to operate in sequence said indexing means, said temporary guide moving means, an intelligence record carrying tape supported for endwise movement relatively to said frame, said tape being formed with an aligned row of intelligence apertures corresponding to each of said first, second and third electrical control means, intelligence pick-up means associated with each of said first, second and third electrical control means and responsive each to a corresponding row of intelligence apertures for actuating said electrical controls, and means for imparting an increment of endwise motion to said tape in response to each operation of said indexing means.

21. A device as set forth in claim 20 in which said intelligence record-carrying tape comprises a strip of photographic movie film formed with evenly spaced sprocket holes at each side of said aligned rows of intelligence apertures.

References Qitetl in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,662,646 McCain Dec. 15, 1953 2,698,478 Heisterkamp et al. Jan. 4, 1955 2,752,618 Stern July 3, 1956 

1. A DEVICE FOR LOADING JACKS INTO A PATTERN WHEEL FORMED WITH A MULTIPLICITY OF JACK ACCOMMODATING RECEPTACLES, COMPRISING A FRAME, MEANS ON SAID FRAME DEFINING A JACK LOADING STATION FOR INSERTION OF JACKS INTO SAID PATTERN WHEEL JACK ACCOMMODATING RECEPTACLES, MEANS FOR SUPPORTING A PATTERN WHEEL RELATIVELY TO SAID FRAME WITH ONE OF SAID PACK ACCOMMODATING RECEPTACLES IN REGISTRY WITH SAID JACK LOADING STATION, GUIDE MEANS ON SAID FRAME SHIFTABLY SUPPORTING A JACK FOR MOVEMENT INTO SAID JACK LOADING STATION, INDEXING MEANS FOR ADVANCING SAID PATTERN WHEEL JACK ACCOMMODATING RECEPTACLES IN SERIATIM INTO REGISTRY WITH SAID JACK LOADING STATION, AND JACK SHIFTING MEANS FOR INTRODUCING A JACK FROM SAID GUIDE MEANS INTO ANY SELECTED ONE OF SAID MULTIPLICITY OF JACK ACCOMMODATING RECEPTACLES DISPOSED IN REGISTRY WITH SAID JACK LOADING STATION. 